Log Trim Around Fireplace

Our Favorite Tree

This snow-covered tree has always been our favorite on the property. This picture was taken on December 15, 2008 after a big snowstorm. You can get a perspective of how tall it is by comparing it to the 5'2" person (Debi) standing in front of it.

Our Favorite Tree (June 10, 2010)

Around November of 2009, we noticed that the tree was beginning to lose its needles and no amount of water made it "bounce back". We kept hoping that by spring of 2010 it would recover, but in June of 2010, we knew it was hopeless. Gary used his chain saw and cut it down.

We didn't want to use the tree as firewood--we wanted it to have a place in the log home, only we weren't sure what that would be. Originally, we thought it would make an awesome fireplace mantel above the wood stove. However, the diameter of the tree went from about two feet at the stump, to two inches at the top, which would make for an odd-looking mantel. So, "Plan B" came into effect: Use the middle part of the tree (which ranged from 10" to 5" in diameter) as an accent for trim around the fireplace in our master bedroom.

The "Heart" of the Tree

The heart of the tree has a beautiful reddish hue. We wish this side of the log could be featured, but we need the roundness of the log to frame the fireplace. Gary used a band saw to even-up the log.

Log Framing the Fireplace

Here is the view of the split log as it frames the fireplace in our master bedroom. This is the view from the log bed. Notice the small cabinet below the fireplace. We think we might use it as a bookshelf, as a curio cabinet for pine cones, or as a display shelf. It is held in place with just a couple of screws because it is actually the way to access the electrical junction boxes--the building code states that you must have access to them!